May 1, 2020

COVID-19 response update: 1 May 2020

Student financial assistance delivered as remote learning extended

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is providing financial assistance and certainty for its students as it continues to respond to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

10% remote learning bursary announced

UOW will provide a 10% remote study bursary to assist eligible students required to study remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bursary will provide students studying remotely for Trimesters 2 and 3 or Spring Session this year an automatic 10% reduction in tuition fees.

Full-fee paying students studying domestic postgraduate coursework, international undergraduate and international postgraduate coursework students will be eligible for the financial assistance.

The bursary does not apply to domestic undergraduate students holding Australian or New Zealand citizenship (or holders of most Australian permanent visa types) who are enrolled in Commonwealth Supported Places, which already attract an Australian Government tuition fee subsidy.

Emergency financial assistance delivered

Since establishing its COVID-19 Financial Assistance Grant scheme in early April, UOW has directly supported some 1,460 students.

The University is continuing to provide financial assistance to students on a case-by-case basis according to individual circumstances.

UOW Vice-Chancellor, Paul Wellings CBE welcomed the extended support to students going through financial stress and suffering hardship.

“We are proud to be supporting our students who need help in these unusual times, and we are prepared to continue to support them through their studies. We are all in this situation together,” Professor Wellings said.

Further information about the 10% full fee paying remote bursary, eligibility and access to UOW’s COVID-19 Financial Assistance Grant scheme and other financial support measures available for students is available on UOW’s financial support, scholarships and bursaries website.

Students with any questions about the bursary or other forms of financial assistance should contact the student hotline on +4221 5700 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday or email: askuow@uow.edu.au

Remote delivery extended to provide students certainty

UOW will extend its remote course delivery until the end of 2020 to provide certainty for students as it prepares for an anticipated phased return to on-campus education later this year.

UOW has been in remote delivery mode since resuming Autumn Session on April 6 in accordance with COVID-19 social distancing requirements, while constantly seeking and responding to student and staff feedback in an effort to provide a positive remote learning experience.

Although the University anticipates an easing of social distancing restrictions in the coming months, which would trigger a gradual return to some on-campus teaching, the pandemic remains a rapidly evolving situation.

To enable students to progress their studies with minimal disruptions as COVID-19 social distancing restrictions ease, the University has decided to extend its remote delivery of courses beyond Autumn Session and Trimester 1 2020, into Trimesters 2 and 3 and this year’s Spring Session. 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Theo Farrell has been leading UOW’s remote delivery.

“We are continuing to follow all government advice and directions as we respond to COVID-19. 

“We are continually evaluating the likely scenarios based on the government advice, with the safety, health and wellbeing of students and staff as our top priority.”

Professor Farrell said the University wants to provide as much certainty and stability to students in these uncertain times.

“We are mindful of the challenges our students are facing because of COVID-19, and so we want to provide the best educational delivery with the least disruptions to their studies.

 “We aim to continue improving that experience for our students throughout the remainder of 2020 while we monitor the situation and await the opportunity to welcome students and staff back to campus.

“We know that any return to campus will not be immediate, and face-to-face skills-based practical and laboratory classes for programs that require these to meet strict accreditation requirements will need to be given priority as on-campus teaching resumes.

“Maintaining our remote course delivery for the remainder of 2020 provides certainty for all students while enabling the University to manage that return within whatever social distancing guidelines the government lays down,” Professor Farrell said.

Professor Farrell also acknowledged the efforts of staff to make the transition to remote learning as quickly and smoothly as possible.

“Our staff have done an extraordinary job of transitioning to remote teaching and we can see the positive outcomes of this mammoth task achieved in such a short span of time and I am confident they will also manage the transition back to campus teaching just as well.”

All UOW campuses in Australia remain open and accessible to students who need access to a computer or internet. Libraries at UOW’s Wollongong, Shoalhaven and Sydney CBD campuses are also open and operational.

The University will continue to follow NSW health advice, and will follow the strict distancing measures implemented by the government.